Just an hour northwest of Chicago, Crystal Lake impresses with its natural wonders, including the Three Oaks Recreation Area and the Crystal Lake Park District’s 238-acre Crystal Lake, two beaches, parks and more . If you’re in Crystal Lake to enjoy the outdoors or the theater and musical entertainment, you might work up an appetite. To help you out, we’ve listed Crystal Lake’s ten top-rated restaurants for dinner. Let us know how you like them!
110 N Main St, Crystal Lake, IL 60014
For an upscale casual vibe, head to Duke’s Alehouse and Kitchen, a gastropub focused on comfort food and a wide selection of libations. Ingredients are sourced from local farmers and producers for peace of mind of quality and sustainability.
Try the beet salad with apples, Wisconsin blue cheese, homemade bacon, endives, candied pecans and bacon dressing. The bar offers over 150 different craft beers and Belgian beers on tap, bottle and can.
4818 Northwest Road, Crystal Lake, IL 60014
The Village Squire is a local Fox Valley chain with branches in Crystal Lake, Dundee, McHenry and South Elgin. The English pub-style family restaurant has been serving up hearty dishes since 1974, like their BBQ ribs.
The Squire’s menu also includes salads, sandwiches, pizzas, pastas and more. Don’t forget to try some of the famous house drinks, like Mai Tais or Rum Barrels.
856 Piott Road, Crystal Lake, IL 60014
Sit down and grab a slice of pie at Nick’s Pizza & Pub, a casual eatery featuring award-winning thin-crust Chicago pizzas. Founded in 1995, the restaurant serves Italian-American cuisine in a casual lodge-style atmosphere.
The pizza dough and sauce come from a 50 year old family recipe that is made from scratch daily. Try Nick’s Special signature pizza, which includes secret mix sausage, mushrooms, onions, green peppers and 100% mozzarella cheese.
5016 Northwest Road, Crystal Lake, IL 60014
Jameson’s Charhouse is a long-running American steakhouse with an upscale casual vibe. Since opening its first Mount Prospect location in 1990, the restaurant has served a menu to suit your appetite, with dishes like a juicy Jameson’s Burger, Greek Style Halibut and Black Angus New York Strip Steak. The restaurant chain has several locations in Illinois.
5011 Northwest Road, Crystal Lake, IL 60014
There’s something nostalgic about going to a restaurant for dinner. This retro-style restaurant has been serving classic American food for over 35 years, such as sandwiches, burgers and steaks. Like any classic restaurant, there are also fresh homemade pastries, such as pies, cakes, pastries and other temptations.
Ice cream lovers, don’t miss the sundaes and shakes here. Try the Tin Roof if you like peanuts – you get two scoops of vanilla ice cream topped with hot fudge, peanuts and whipped cream.
5690 Northwest Highway, Crystal Lake, IL 60014
We can all appreciate a good show and you can get it and delicious food and drink at Kyoto Japanese Steakhouse & Sushi Bar. Diners can enjoy a hibachi meal where playing with your food is encouraged – for chefs anyway! You can also sit at the sushi bar where you can watch the sushi chefs in action.
Only the freshest ingredients are used in Kyoto, whether you’re enjoying a lobster dish, a hibachi steak or a sushi platter. A modern, club-like atmosphere with lighting effects adds to the overall cool vibe.
75 E Woodstock St, Crystal Lake, IL 60014
Georgio’s is an award-winning pizzeria and pub serving casual Italian cuisine, such as pizza, pasta and sandwiches. Savor the Chicago deep dish or thin crust pizza while you root for the Bulls at the fully stocked bar. If Trulys, High Noons or White Claws are your thing, Georgio’s has them for $6 each on Thursdays.
90 N Williams St, Crystal Lake, IL 60014
Breakfast for dinner? Why, of course! The Olympic café is steeped in history. It is located in one of the oldest buildings in historic downtown Crystal Lake, built in 1892. Once a soda fountain and candy store, it became a full-service restaurant in 1975.
Cafe Olympic serves all-day breakfast and basic American fare in a classic restaurant setting – counter seating included! Take home some of the restaurant’s homemade baked goods, like banana nut bread and cinnamon rolls.
230 W Virginia St, Crystal Lake, IL 60014
Savor classic Thai cuisine, including curries, noodles, rice dishes and more, at Krystal Thai. Featuring traditional Thai decor and a casual setting, the restaurant offers both take-out and take-out.
Try the spring rolls to start, and if you’re looking for a non-typical fried rice, order the Volcano Fried Rice, which features shrimp with spicy chili soy, mixed vegetables, tomatoes, onions and egg. As with most Thai dishes, be careful with your choice of spicy level!
93 Grant St., Crystal Lake, IL 60014
Taqueria Las Cumbres serves authentic Mexican cuisine in a casual setting, including your classic burritos, tacos, gorditas, quesadillas, tortas and more. The restaurant uses ingredients purchased directly from Mexico for authentic flavors. Taqueria Las Cumbres is named after the town of Las Cumbres in Maltrata, Veracruz, where the chef grew up. Most of the menu features flavors and recipes native to Puebla and Veracruz.
Featured Image Credit: The Village Squire
